PLEASE NOTE: This article is from 2011. To see the latest holiday-music guide, see our 2016 listings.
Among the vendors offering up treats and competing for your holiday dollars are all the arts organizations in the Bay Area. This is a make-or-break season for them, just as it is for retailers. So what are the best bets for a great holiday concert experience, whether for the children or yourself? If you’ve given up, use this handy list to guide you. Also see SFCV’s Nutcracker roundup here.
S.F. Symphony Holiday Concerts
The San Francisco Symphony gives you plenty of choices of family holiday concerts — certainly enough to schedule some around your holiday parties. And Davies Symphony Hall with its beautifully decorated lobby is resplendent during the season. Here’s what’s on offer, with discounts for kids under 17:
- Best Time of Year: A Christmas Special, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
- The Snowman animated film and sing-along with the San Francisco Symphony, Dec. 2, 3
- Deck the Hall children’s holiday concert and party, Dec. 4
- Handel’s Messiah Dec. 16–18
- Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jóse Hernández, Dec. 18
- ’Twas the Night: carols and sing-alongs with members of the Symphony brass and members of the Symphony Chorus, Dec. 22–24
More information on the SFS Christmas Special here.
A.C.T.: A Christmas Carol
Who isn’t thrilled by Charles Dickens’ timeless story of Scrooge and his three ghostly visitors? And in the expert hands of American Conservatory Theater, it’s magical. They unveiled this version in 2004, cast actor James Carpenter in the lead role in 2006, and an offbeat success was born. The original music by Karl Lundeberg enhances the narrative and keeps you humming. With the creative costumes and sets, it’s overall a fantastically fun family-night out. No children under 5 are permitted.
Dec. 1–24, various times, American Conservatory Theatre, $15–$95, (415) 749-2228.
A Chanticleer Christmas
Photo by Lisa Kohler
If you haven’t taken advantage of a Chanticleer concert yet, now is the time. Each year, the world-renowned male vocal ensemble brings its “profound, peaceful, and joyous” holiday music to beautiful churches, cathedrals, and Missions around the Bay Area. You’d be surprised at the vocal range these men display, and their blend and nuance is second to none. It’s the perfect antidote to the commercialism of the season and, with 13 shows in 9 cities, it’s not hard to find one near you. The quiet sections of the performance make it advisable for older children only.
Dec. 10–23, various venues and times, $32–$54, (415) 392-4400.
Ben Brussell’s Klezmania
Celebrate Chanukah with Ben Brussell’s high-energy klezmer band. Klezmer is a style of folk music from the Ashkenazic Jews in Eastern Europe. With rollicking dance tunes, and expressive “wails” like that of the human voice, it has always been celebratory music. When klezmer met American jazz, things really became fun. The group plays mandolin, voice, violin, saxophone, accordion, keyboard, guitar, bass, and drums, serving up some traditional sing-along Chanukah songs, Yiddish and Israeli folk songs, and original klezmer songs, as well. Wild and crazy fun.
Dec. 17, 8 p.m., Old First Concerts (Old First Church), $14–$17, (415) 474-1608.
A Celtic Christmas With Golden Bough
The Golden Bough trio has been performing Celtic music for 30 years, has made 20 albums (two of which are Christmas collections), and has performed their Christmas show to the delight of audiences, for many years. The beautiful Old First Church, Northern California’s oldest Presbyterian church is a glorious setting. With their infectious reels of pipes, fiddles, harp, accordion, and guitar, just try to keep your toes from tapping.
Dec. 23, 8 p.m., Old First Concerts at Old First Church, San Francisco, $14–$17, (415) 474-1608.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
A musical for the youngest set, based on the beloved story by Dr. Seuss and set to the music of Mel Marvin and Albert Hague. The characters look like they could live in your toy box. Add whimsical staging and sets, and it’s really a great opportunity to introduce the kids to live Broadway entertainment. Most know the story from the book or the cartoon, and live singing and dancing create that “Wow” factor. Hague was the original composer of a few of the favorites, like “You’re a Mean one, Mr. Grinch,” while Marvin has an impressive track record of writing musicals for young audiences, such as Little Miss Hollywood and Mr. Popper’s Penguins, in addition to his grown-up shows like Yentl. One hour 20 minutes, no intermission.
Dec. 21–31, various times, Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco, $25–$85, (888) 746-1799.
Cantare con Vivo: The Big Christmas Sing
There are some readers who want the traditional Christmas “do” with all the trimmings. If you’re that person, we have a few choral concerts you won’t want to do without. First up, the 200-voice, Oakland-based Cantare con Vivo includes its own chamber choir and children’s choirs and is planning a Mormon Tabernacle–style Christmas concert with bushels of carols, an orchestra, an organ, angels on high, the whole works. So if you were breaking out the Christmas decorations early and counting the days, this is your concert.
Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m., Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church; Dec. 4, 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of Oakland; $10–$45, (510) 836-0789.
San Francisco Bach Choir: Candlelight Christmas
This is another biggie. Grown men have been known to tear up at the sight of the San Francisco Bach Choir processing down the aisles of Calvary Presbyterian Church by candlelight. For many long-time San Franciscans, this is the one that can’t be missed. Drag your friends and ditch one holiday party to witness it.
Dec. 3, 8 p.m., and Dec. 4, 4 p.m., Calvary Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, $24–$28, (855) 473-2224.
Marin Symphony Holiday Concert
The Symphony’s Chorus, the Marin Girls Chorus, handbells, string quartet and harp, candlelight and ... you, naturally. This traditional concert is a sing-along, but done in style (no roaring, please). Light your own candle and join in the caroling.
Dec. 3, 7:30, and Dec. 4, 4 p.m., $25–$30, (415) 479-8100.
Kitka: Wintersongs
The music that Kitka sings on this program — Slavic carols, Eastern Orthodox liturgical chants, Chanukah cantillations — may not be familiar in the general culture, but it’s no less venerable and wonderful for all that. Take some time experiencing another side of the winter holidays with this superior women’s group, highly trained in authentic performance practice of this music.
Dec. 4, 4 p.m., St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, Menlo Park; Dec. 10, 8 p.m., Dance Palace, Pt. Reyes Station; Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m., St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church, San Francisco; $15–$25, (510) 444-0323.
Grace Cathedral Christmas
Another great tradition in the big holiday concert vein. Sitting in the beautiful, huge nave of Grace Cathedral atop Nob Hill, hearing the organ resound as the Cathedral Choir of men and boys and a full orchestra give voice to world-famous carols and sacred music masterpieces, makes for an unmissable experience. If you want your one holiday concert to have the grandeur that only the setting of a beautiful cathedral can provide, then this is it.
Dec. 10–18, 3 p.m., Dec. 19, 7 p.m., $15–$50, (415) 392-4400. More information.